Barael comes up to the door (*cough*, *cough*) and listens. He can hear someone, something, giving a speech on the other side of the door. It's muddled though, so you can't quite hear the details.
Presuming you go ahead and open the door, you see a large room with a small stage along the windows. A zombie dressed as a blue-winged angel strums a large, standing harp - unfortunately most of the harp’s strings are broken. The angel is also trying to sing, but it comes out as mumbling babble. Four costumed corpses - a sea serpent, a castle tower, a swan, and a blue skeleton - look on from chairs but as they are still dead, they do not move.
I'm not going to roll initiative. I presume that the party, even slightly split, can finish off the lone zombie in the room without much difficulty. As Nokolay and Barael are already diseased (and likely charging in), no additional checks needed when the corpse pops…
Briar shoos the party to open the door at G11.
"C'mon, let's find Ruan."
If we had waited a day to prepare, we could have easily had found Ruan without all this running around...with *MAGIC*.
Fondo offers to clean off Dandi as the party moves back through the central room. "More gore, Niko and Barael? Hurry up now. No doubt Ruan is lurking in a basement somewhere, waiting for tender mercies."
The small room behind this door is actually completely empty and bereft of blood and gore. A peaceful center to an otherwise gory building. It's a sitting room, with one chair and a couple low tables with food and drink, spoiling slightly.
There is nothing else in the room.
Barael passes to the southern door , and renews the procedure of listening before entering.
He proceeds through the door as long as he has someone at his back. As zombies are the soup of the day, he intends on attacking any zombie before it has a chance to acknowledge new house guests.
Two of the Carowyns’ ex-servants sit at a preparation table here holding dull knives, pantomiming the carving of a corpse on the table dressed as a huge pig - truly the long hog. When you open the door, they turn and try to do the same to you!
Nikolay gets to react, then it's my turn.
Barael
Briar
Charlie
Dandilion
Fondo
Nikolay
Majenko
Good Guys
Briar tries to be supportive...
"Hey Nikolay. I see you've become a dual threat...the way you mix both magic and sword into your misses is inspiring."
See? I'm motivating...just like the Varisian....maybe Nikolay will prove me wrong.
Round 1, Init 21, H12-->K14
Init +2; Senses Perception +2
Speed 30 ft. (+1 Chain shirt)
--------------------
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 17 (+5 armor, +2 Dex, +2 Deflection)
hp 51 (6d8+12)
Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +5
--------------------
2 (4/day) Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Frigid Touch, Spider Climb
1 (5/day) Shocking Grasp, True Strike, Shield, (used)Burning Hands (DC 14), Vanish
0 (5/at will) Disrupt Undead, Prestidigitation (DC 13), Read Magic, Light, Detect Magic,
--------------------
Arcane Pool (7/day) 7/7 remaining
Empowered Magic (1/day) 0/1 remaining
Black blade's arcane pool 2/2 remaining
Wand of Magic missiles (23 charges remaining)
Pearl of Power - Not used today
Harrow points 4
Nikolay assumes these zombies to be as slow as all the others and dashes into the room and does his best to cut down a zombie (Z1). He rushes a bit too much and only manages to cut the chair.
(BAB +4, STR +3, Black blade +2, Weapon Focus +1, -2 Power Attack)
(+3 STR, +2 Magic, +4 Power Attack)
Nikolay sweeps into the room and misses.
Majenko continues to watch the zombies upstairs. He tells the party that there is a picture gallery, and the zombies are moving from picture to picture, nodding and grunting as if discussing fine art.
Meanwhile, the zombies downstairs attack Nikolay.
The mighty zombies both whiff on Nikolay.
A-yep. I don't know why I tried to help.
Round 1, Init 12
AC = 18
HP = 51/51
Weapon Equipped = Black Tooth
Condition(s) = Diseased
Barael moves in directly behind Nik , and tries to keep the zombies in their place, to avoid any further bursts of their putrid bounty.
"So, Nik. How's life?" Barael pulls his blade through, looking down at the floor for slick spots. "I was thinking maybe we could get a cat for Harrow House. You know, keep out the mice. You allergic to em? You know, cats?"
Barael, I need an Acrobatics check to get to that square without provoking. Last time I'll be nice and warn you. :)
Round 1, Init 12+
Briar delays, waiting for a proper action.
round 1 init 10 {G11}
Charlie will stay in G11 and cast Bless. Allies +1 to hit and save v. Fear.
AC 14 +4 studded leather +1
CMD 14
HP = 31/31
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (6)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:14 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:15 (7/7 per day) (Bless, Ray of enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:16 (6/6 per day) (Lesser Restoration, Sonic Blast, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:17 (2/4 per day) (Prayer, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 5/7 times per day.
summon elemental: once per day 4/4 rounds per day
Sociable Trait4/4 rounds per day
wand CLW 12/50, 50/50
Rod of Reach 3/3 per day
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
Round 1, Init 6 {>I12}
Fondo turns to the sound of combat and shrugs. Friend drake, give a thought if you see ought that's new.
He walks into the hall and peeks into the room, looking for Ruan's face among the moving and still bodies. I suppose I am the one most like to recognize him.. If Briar tsks him, he drops prone to stay out of the way of his Varsiian hating arrows.
Round 1, Init 7
Dandi mutters to herself, casting detect thoughts to try to find the power behind the putrescence.
Round 2, Init 21
Nikolay tries to finish off the one that Barael was so kind to flank.
(BAB +4, STR +3, Black blade +2, Weapon Focus +1, -2 Power Attack)
(+4 STR, +2 Magic, +6 Power Attack)
Round 2, Init 12
Briar continues his delay, keeping alert for stuff popping out of nowhere to spread ichor on him.
Perception
"I was thinking maybe we could get a cat for Harrow House. You know, keep out the mice. You allergic to em? You know, cats?"
"A cat would be fine, but we could really use a cook first. We have no food for a rat steal yet."
Briar continues to wait for an opportune time to strike and looks around carefully. Barael rolls in behind Nikolay and strikes hard at Z1. Charlie casts bless on the party. Dandilion checks for thoughts (yes there are minds in your cone). Fondo moves over and takes a look at the scene. Nikolay does indeed kill Z1 cleanly.
The lone zombie swings hard and connects, but fails to confirm the critical.
Round 3, Init 21
If Barael hasn't finished off the zombie, Nikolay will take care of it.
(BAB +4, STR +3, Black blade +2, Weapon Focus +1, -2 Power Attack,+1 bless)
(+4 STR, +2 Magic, +6 Power Attack)
"Your back holds strength enough. Lean in, my friend!"
Round 2, Init 12
Barael swings, then steps back, trying to bait the zombie into a better position, should further work be required.
"Yeah, we do need food. And a better set of pans. Fondo burnt that small one with an egg and onion. Lovely distractions ruin good wares."
Round 2, Init 6
Fondo steps into the fray, leaping up onto the table in flank with Barael. "That lass would've burnt our toast worse than even you, brov, and made me pay more than I'm like to give. A proper cook nourishes body without sucking out your soul." Twas something dear about Ruan — went about his business after the deed, and let me go about mine.
"Shhh, I'm trying to think someone" Dandi concentrates on her spell.
Charlie uses his holy symbol to keep his mind sharp as he scans the scene.
Briar Remains ever vigilant (DMPC). Nikolay swings mightily and misses. Fondo aids Nikolay, but it's not enough. He does tumble in and connect on his own however balanced precariously on the table. Charlie scans the scene. Dandilion concentrates, but only gets party members to the east - no other minds in that direction. Barael connects for short damage.
Round 3, Init 12
AC = 18
HP = 51/51
Weapon Equipped = Black Tooth
Condition(s) = Blessed, Diseased
Barael stumbles back, realizes that Nik has the full attention of the zombie, and, with Fondo in his rightful place, tumbles back into the fray.
Noticing Fondo's place on the table next to the long hog, he wonders if the comparison is lost on the others.
Round 3, Init 7
"You guys think too loud." Dandi says, grumbling a little. She has absolute faith that the others can handle the one creature in the current room, however, so she turns to the south and begins again. [ooc]round 3 of the spell, round 1 in this direction[/b]
"but maybe if someone *else* searches for the cook, we'll get one that can do so in the kitchen instead..."
Round 3, Init 6
But we did do it in the kitchen. Glad I didn't wake you, jel'enedra.
If needed, Fondo again strikes at the zombie before hopping down on the floor.
round 1 init 10 {G11 -->J13}
Charlie will to J13 and heal Nik with a cure moderate wounds.
AC 14 +4 studded leather +1
CMD 14
HP = 31/31
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (6)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:14 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:15 (6/7 per day) (Bless, Ray of enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:16 (5/6 per day) (Lesser Restoration, Sonic Blast, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:17 (3/4 per day) (Prayer, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 5/7 times per day.
summon elemental: once per day 4/4 rounds per day
Sociable Trait4/4 rounds per day
wand CLW 12/50, 50/50
Rod of Reach 3/3 per day
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
Round 3, Init 12
Briar delays, bow at the ready, alert.
Perception
Round 4, Init 21
"I am really tired of being slapped around by a zombie!"
(BAB +4, STR +3, Black blade +2, Weapon Focus +1, -2 Power Attack)
(+4 STR, +2 Magic, +4 Power Attack)
round 4 init 10 {J13}
Charlie will shoot an eldritch bolt at the Zombie and hope that Nikolay can get it together.
AC 14 +4 studded leather +1
CMD 14
HP = 31/31
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (6)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:14 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:15 (6/7 per day) (Bless, Ray of enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:16 (5/6 per day) (Lesser Restoration, Sonic Blast, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:17 (3/4 per day) (Prayer, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 4/7 times per day.
summon elemental: once per day 4/4 rounds per day
Sociable Trait4/4 rounds per day
wand CLW 12/50, 50/50
Rod of Reach 3/3 per day
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
Briar remains ever vigilant. Nikolay swings and misses. Fondo hops off the table, feet covered in gore, and also misses. Charlie strides into the room and heals Nikolay. Dandilion starts searching another quarter. Barael tumbles in successfully but misses.
The zombie misses, but the door behind Barael opens, and the strangest elven creature appears out of invisibility, her blade deep in Barael's side - a blade covered in poisonous goo.
She grins wildly and dances a merry jig in place as her blade cuts deep.
"Do you like my merry dance?" Her grin fades for a moment, "You're ruining all my fun!"
Round 4, Init 12
AC = 20, Combat Expertise
HP = 31/51
Weapon Equipped = Black Tooth
Condition(s) = Blessed, Diseased, Frustrated
"Hunngh. My back to a door, shoulda expected no less! She's playing with laces!" Barael feels more than steel at work within his side.
Barael swings at the zombie to break the numbers, and any chance this assassin has at flanking again. Unless she can turn invisible again that is... Clever girl...
"You inspire me, Blue Eyes! Look, I've made room on the dance floor. You're welcome to step into the room more fully! We'll dance proper, we will..."
Barael retreats.
Round 4, Init 12
Seeing Barael springing new holes in his body, Briar moves to J13 to get a better look.
Woah...is that an elf?
"Elf-Sister, what are you doing? Or do you need help doing it? We're just here looking for one pitiful human. A bardic type...sings with an ocarina. Have you seen him?"
Briar lowers his bow.
"Put those daggers away, we're not here to fight you or ruin your fun. But that human is with me...we can get you other Varisians to hurt."
She twirls in place with a grin and ends facing the lanky elf.
Her dagger, still bloody from Baraels gaping wound, clatters to the floor.
Round 5, Init 21
Now I've done it. Played too long with this one.
Nikolay tries to aim more carefully at the already damaged zombie. Assuming that kills it, he'll move up to its spot.
(BAB +4, STR +3, Black blade +2, Weapon Focus +1, Bless +1)
(+3 STR, +2 Magic)
Briar acknowledges the natural nobility and presence of the elf maiden.
See? That's how things should work...only elfs are so inclined.
"HarrowCast, we have time for some talk. This elf maiden means no harm to us. Maybe this was just a misunderstanding. Let us talk," Briar communicates to the HarrowCast before switching to elven to re-address the Lady.
"It's been too long since I heard the true elven tongue spoken by a pureblood. Thank you for giving me such a gift," Briar smiles and looks to the zombies.
"Did you create and stage all this 'art'? We didn't mean to ruin it all..there are some that did not rise to greet us and those remain. I have some magic myself, but not enough to create what was created here! You are a artist, no doubt."
Round 4, Init 6
Fondo steps and kicks the dagger away.
Nikolay, the zombie is dead by the time your turn comes around. Do you instead make your way to the elf (5'step) and strike her?
"Barbarians, aren't they?" Briar says to the elf as his eyes flicker to Fondo. "You were saying?"
She's about to talk and he's ruining it.
Barael clutches at his side, blood squishing through his fingertips.
"Our friend Briar is praising her fine art work, dressing up our fellow Korvosans' bodies." Fondo looks at Briar with a mix of incredulity, disgust and hope that he's mishearing the elf. He tries to ascertain where the truth of his bigotry might meet lies of necessity. Is he just trying to talk her down, or does he believe the monstrous rubbish he speaks?
!!!!!! I thought.. I mean, Sure Briar is grouchy, but he's ancient,but... to just and then...and she... and the dead things and... Dandi slips back towards the dining room, sick to her stomach at what she's heard.She let's the detect thoughts spell slip from her mind and draws upon a need for speed, casting expeditious retreat to hurry herself along.
round 4 init 10 {J14 -->L13}
Sense motive on the crazier elf to see if she was just stalling or if she was actually up for negotiation.
Charlie will move to L13 and heal Barael.
AC 14 +4 studded leather +1
CMD 14
HP = 31/31
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (6)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:14 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:15 (6/7 per day) (Bless, Ray of enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:16 (3/6 per day) (Lesser Restoration, Sonic Blast, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:17 (3/4 per day) (Prayer, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 4/7 times per day.
summon elemental: once per day 4/4 rounds per day
Sociable Trait4/4 rounds per day
wand CLW 12/50, 50/50
Rod of Reach 3/3 per day
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
Briar lowers his weapon and chats with the vixen elf. Barael finishes off the last zombie in the room and cowers from the new combatant. Charlie tries to keep Barael among the living a little while longer. Charlie further thinks that the elf was definitely interested in talking but the rest of the party made that impossible. Dandilion moves around to the back to try and flank the fair maiden. Fondo kicks away her dagger and tries to demoralize her but is unsuccessful. Nikolay steps up and tries to swat the elf, but misses.
vs DC 20 to bypass Dandilion
The elf, seeing how she fares at the hands of the party, quaffs the potion she held out of site in her left hand and turns invisible. Dandilion then hears/feels here sweep by and into the large dining room (all the doors are currently open by the way).